Characterization of NADP-dependent L-arginine dehydrogenase as a novel amino acid dehydrogenase and its application to an L-arginine assay

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was the purification and characterization of an NADP-dependent L arginine dehydrogenase (L-ArgDH, EC 1.4.1.25) as a novel amino acid dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas veronii. We then applied the enzyme to an L-arginine assay. Methods: An L-ArgDH gene from P. veronii JCM11942 was amplified by PCR using primers based on the N and C-terminal sequences inferred from a putative L-ArgDH gene (PverR02_12350) found in the P. veronii genome. The L-ArgDH activity of the product expressed in Escherichia coli was confirmed, after which the enzyme was purified, characterized, and applied to an L-Arg microassay. Results: The P. veroniiJCM11942 gene was expressed in E. coli, and the gene product exhibited strong NADP dependent L-ArgDH activity. The crude enzyme was unstable but was stabilized by the presence of 10% glycerol under neutral pH conditions. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity through a single Ni-chelate affinity chromatography step and consisted of a homodimeric protein with a molecular mass of about 65 kDa. The enzyme selectively catalyzed L-arginine oxidation in the presence of NADP, with maximal activity at pH 9.5. The apparent Km values for L-arginine and NADP were 2.5 and 0.21 mM, respectively. A simple colorimetric microassay for L-arginine was achieved using the enzyme. Conclusions: The L-ArgDH gene from P. veronii JCM 11942 was successively expressed in E. coli. The product exhibited NADP-dependent L-ArgDH dehydrogenase activity, and the enzyme was purified and characterized as a novel amino acid dehydrogenase. Furthermore, a simple colorimetric assay for L-arginine using L-ArgDH was achieved. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.